Raymond Ozoji, Awka
Mr. Jude Okechukwu Emecheta, one of the ardent proponents of the gubernatorial ambition of the former Central Bank Governor, Prof.Charles Chukwuma Soludo, says that the high-profile accomplishments of the ex-CBN boss intimidate his co-aspirants for the office of the next governor of Anambra state.
Although he said that the former CBN governor has not officially made his intentions to contest for the governorship position known, people of the state are begging him to come and contest for the governorship seat to enable him to bring his enormous wealth of knowledge, experience and technical know-how to bear on the governance and administration of the state.
He said granted that there were many dramatis personae aspiring to be the next governor but Professor Soludo was more qualified for the position judging from his antecedents and pedigree.
Emecheta who spoke with NewsProbe in Awka on the chances of Professor Soludo becoming the next governor, noted that other aspirants were no match for him because of his national and multi-national recognitions.
He said that the country still leveraged on the innovations professor Soludo introduced in the banking sector and the national economy in general, adding that the Automated Teller Matchine (ATM) was his brainchild even as he disclosed further that the Central Bank branch in Anambra state was influenced by him.
Emecheta said that Professor Soludo had no record of fraud nor allegations of corruption as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and that as an economic adviser to other nations, his integrity and expertise had never been in doubt.
Emecheta noted that Anambra state required someone who was futuristic and could initiate long and medium term plans to place that state on the path of sustainable development.
According to him, “If Soludo eventually agrees to contest, a lot of people will campaign for him. All these billionaires you mentioned are scared of him. I am his apostle and I will work for him to win because we want a governor that we can be proud of.
“In 2010 he contested under PDP and was rigged out. In 2013, he bought form in APGA and was disqualified but he has remained in APGA till date. We have gone to beg him to come and run again but he is still thinking about it.
“We are trying to convince him that the grassroot is behind him. Obiano has laid the foundation for grassroots development through the 20 million naira community choose your protect scheme and I’m seeing Soludo keying into it. Soludo has placed himself on the world map through his technical proficiency and his 50-year development plan for Anambra state will be a reference point in history.”